Split type removable closure and method of making same



Nov. 30, 1965 B. N. WALKER 3,220,590

SPLIT TYPE REMOVABLE CLOSURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 1964 Fig.5

Barvo N. Walker I N VEN TOR.

WWW m! Nov. 30, 1965 B. N. WALKER 3,220,590

SPLIT TYPE REMOVABLE CLOSURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed May 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.8 Fig-9 Ban o M Walker 1N VENTOR.

BY WWW Em United States Patent ice 3,220,590 SPLIT TYPE REMOVABLE CLOSURE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Barvo N. Walker, 5636 Malvey, Fort Worth, Tex. Filed May 13, 1964, Ser. No. 366,956 6 Claims. (Cl. 21546) This invention relates to bottle closure caps of the selfopening type disclosed in my prior copending application U.S. Serial No. 331,211, filed December 17, 1963, now abandoned, with respect to which the present application is a continuation-in-part.

The present invention is an improvement over the closure cap disclosed in the aforementioned prior copending application and accordingly embodies all of the advantageous attributes thereof. It is therefore also a primary object of the present invention to provide a sealing cap for containers which may be applied in the usual manner by a capping machine and yet provide adequate facilities for removal of the cap without use of any opening tools.

As a further object of the present invention, a novel method for manufacturing the aforementioned closure cap is provided by virtue of which little modification is required for the machines now operative to form the usual type of bottle closure cap requiring opening tools for removal thereof from the mouth of a container or bottle.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the closure cap of the present invention features an elongated pull tab integrally connected to the edge portion of the annular crimping skirt of the closure cap and folded over to cover score lines which define a continuation of the pull tab on the top cover portion of the closure cap along which the closure cap is split by unfolding of the pull tab and pulling thereof across the top of the closure cap. The closure cap in its final form will therefore provide a pull tab of sufficient length to ensure adequate gripping despite the relatively small size of the closure cap. Also, the folded arrangement of the pull tab not only provides protection for the score lines formed on the cover portion of the closure cap but also avoids projections from the usual configuration of the closure cap so that capping may be performed by capping machines without any modification thereof.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a closure cap adapted to be split without use of any tools, having structural features which facilitate its formation from stock material.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of closure cap made in accordance with the present invention sealing the mouth of a bottle container.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the closure cap as shown installed in FIGURE 1, taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the closure cap being split.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a closure cap in its initial stages of formation.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective View of the closure cap in a further stage of formation.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the closure cap in a still further stage of formation.

3,2295% Patented Nov. 30, 1965 FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of another form of closure cap made in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the closure cap shown in FIGURE 8 taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 99 in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 10-10 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of two of the parts of the closure cap in the initial stages of formation.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the closure cap in a further stage of formation.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the closure cap in a still further stage of formation.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, it will be observed that the closure cap generally referred to by reference numeral 10, is applied to the mouth portion 12 of a bottle container 14 in the usual manner so as to seal the contents of the container. The closure cap therefore includes a top cover portion 16 closing the mouth of the container and an annular skirt portion 18 crimped about the mouth so as to seal the cap thereon. The closure cap however, is also provided with an elongated pull tab 20 which is integrally connected to an arcuate edge portion of the annular skirt 18 at a juncture generally referred to by reference numeral 22, the pull tab being folded at said juncture so as to extend across an arcuate portion of the annular skirt 18 and diametrically across a major portion of the top cover portion 16. Also formed on the top surface of the cover portion 16 are a pair of score lines 24 which extend from the juncture 22 beneath the pull tab 20 in its folded posi tion. As more clearly seen in FIGURE 3, it will be observed, that the score lines being formed on the top surface of the cover portion opposite the cork-like sealing disc 26 with which the usual closure cap is provided, will be concealed beneath the folded pull tab. The pull tab is accordingly dimensioned so that its width will exceed the spacing between the score lines and be of a length sufficient to extend diametrically across the major portion of the top cover portion 16 and the width of the annular crimping skirt 18.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, the formation of the closure cap from stock material will become apparent. As shown in FIGURE 5, the closure cap is initially cut from the stock material in the form of a circular disc, the circular edge 28 finally forming the crimped annular edge of the skirt 1%. The circular disc is however formed with the radially projecting pull tab 20. The pull tab is dimensioned in length as aforementioned in order to cover the score lines 24 which are also formed on the circular disc after it is blanked from the stock material. The score lines define therefore an extension of the pull tab which is provided with a connecting transition portion 30 the sides of which converge from a wider portion of the tab toward the juncture 22 with the circular disc from which the score lines 24 extend.

When the circular disc and its radially projecting pull tab are cut or stamped from the stock material, a diamond shape cutout 32 is also cut so as to extend from the juncture 22 in both radial directions. As a result thereof, folding of the pull tab so as to conform more closely to the circular edge 28 is facilitated inasmuch as the arcuate length of the juncture 22 is thereby reduced and separated into spaced portions. As indicated in FIGURES 6 and 7,

2. rolled edge fold is formed at the juncture 22 by insertion of an arcuate wire section 34 at the juncture bridging the cutout 32. Accordingly, the closure cap in the stage of formation shown in FIGURE 7, may be recived within the usual dies of the capping machine in order to form the annular crimping skirt.

In view of the cutout 32 at the juncture 22 between the pull tab and the annular skirt of the closure cap, the pull tab may be folded over the closure cap and more closely conform to the general configuration thereof so as to avoid any sharp projections. The provision of the wire section 34 also prevents the formation of a sharp fold so as to avoid rupture of the pull tab at the juncture when it is unfolded. Upon unfolding of the pull tab, it will be apparent that a substantial length thereof will be available for adequate gripping so that the cap may then be split by pulling on the pull tab in order to split the cap along the score lines 24 as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

In FIGURES 8 through 13, another form of the closure cap is illustrated and is generally denoted by reference numeral 36. This form of closure cap is split in the same manner as described in connection with the closure cap is illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 7. The closure cap 36 therefore also includes a top closure portion 38 from which an annular crimping skirt 40 depends with an elongated pull tab 42 being folded thereover. Accordingly, the pull tab is unfolded after which it is pulled across the top cover portion 38 of the closure cap in order to split the closure cap in two sections.

As more clearly shown in FIGURE 11, the closure cap is formed from two separately cut parts including a generaly circular disc part, the circular edge 44 of which forms the edge of the annular crimping skirt 40. The circular disc part is preferably made of a tinplated steel and is provided with a radially extending slot 46 having diverging side portions 48 whch open the slot 46 at the circular edge 44. The pull tab 42 may be formed of a weaker material such as aluminum and is integral with an elongated strip portion 50 cemented to the circular disc part by an epoxy cement for example so as to expose through the slot 46, the score lines 52. The score lines extend from the juncture 54 of the strip portion 50 with the pull tab 42 so as to form a continuation of the pull tab which is also provided with the converging transition portion 56 similar to the portion described in connecton with the closure cap 10 in FIGURES 1 through 7. Also provided at the juncture 54, is a diamond shape cutout 58 whereby the fold formed at the juncture 54 may more closely conform to the final configuration of the closure cap. After the two parts are cemented together as shown in FIGURE 12, the pull tab may be folded about an arcuate wire section 60 as shown in FIGURE 13 before the annular skirt is crimped by the capping machine. Except for the formation of the closure cap from two different materials, the construction and use of the closure cap 36 will therefore be the same as that of closure cap 10. However, in view of the formation of the pull tab and the portion of the closure cap being split, from a weaker material, a more rigid closure cap may be otherwise manufactured without impairing the ease with which the cap may be split for removal purposes.

From the foregoing dscription, the construction, method of manufacture and utility of the self-opening closure caps of the present invention will be apparent. It will therefore be appreciated that the provision of an elongated pull tab despite the relatively small size of the closure cap with which the present invention is concerned, will be of considerable advantage in connection with facilitated splitting of the closure cap by providing an adequate gripping surface. Nevertheless, the pull tab is arranged so as to avoid any projections from the general configuration of the closure cap in order to permit use of the conventional capping machines. The cutout feature at the juncture of the pull tab with the skirt of the closure cap and the rolled edge formation will therefore be of advantageous import in connection with the manufacture of the closure cap and the manner in which it is used to split the cap when removal thereof is desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A closure cap adapted to be applied to the mouth of a container comprising a configuration formed by a cover and an annular crimping skirt depending from said cover, an elongated folding tab having a transition portion connected to said skirt and a flat wider portion extending diametrically across a major portion of the cover terminating short of the skirt, a pair of spaced scorelines formed on the cover and depending therefrom across the skirt to the tab, said tab being folded across the skirt and the cover to a folded position covering the scorelines, said scorelines defining a separable strip covered by said wider portion of the tab along which the closure cap is split by a pull on the tab after unfolding thereof from said folded position, said transition portion of the tab extending radially from an arcuate edge portion of the skirt across which the tab is folded, and means forming a rolled edge fold between the tab and said edge portion of the skirt including an arcuate wire section over which the tab is folded, the tab and said edge portion of the skirt are provided with a connecting cutout bridged by said wire section for reducing the arcuate length of said fold.

2. A method of making a split type of removable closure cap having a cover portion and an annular crimping skirt comprising the steps of: forming a circular disk with an elongated tab projecting radially therefrom; removing a diamond shaped cut out at the juncture of the tab with the circular disk; scoring the circular disk to define a continuation of the tab across the disk; folding the tab over the scoring from the juncture thereof with the disk; crimping an annular portion of the disk with the tab folded thereon to form the skirt and cover portion of the closure cap; and inserting an arcuate strip of wire on the juncture of the tab with the disc bridging the cutout before folding of the tab, to form a rolled edge fold.

3. In a closure, a cap adapted to be mounted over the mouth of a container for sealing thereof, comprising a top and a depending skirt formed integral therewith, splitting means connected to the cap including a folded tab having a transition portion folded against said skirt and a pull portion integral therewith extending across the top exposing a substantial portion of the top, spaced scorelines on said top completely concealed beneath the pull portion of the tab, said scorelines extending from a juncture between the cap and the transition portion of the tab, and means located at said juncture for reducing distortion of the skirt where the tab is folded without weakening of the juncture to avoid rupture thereof in response to unfolding of the tab, said latter-mentioned means includes a diamond-shaped cutout extending between the tab and the skirt at the juncture, and a rod element bridging said cutout about which the tab is folded.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said cap is formed with a slot, an elongated strip made of material weaker than that of the top secured to the top beneath the slot therein, said tab being integrally connected to the strip and said scorelines being formed in the strip for exposure through the slot.

5. In a closure, a cap adapted to be mounted over the mouth of a container for sealing thereof, comprising a top and a depending skirt formed integral therewith, splitting means connected to the cap including a folded tab having a transition portion folded against said skirt and a pull portion integral therewith extending across the top exposing a substantial portion of the top, spaced scorelines on said top completely concealed beneath the pull portion of the tab, said scorelines extending from a juncture between the cap and the transition portion of the tab,

and means located at said juncture for reducing distortion of the skirt where the tab is folded Without weakening of the juncture to avoid rupture thereof in response to unfolding of the tab, said cap is formed with a slot, an elongated strip made of material Weaker than that of the top secured to the top beneath the slot therein, said tab being integrally connected to the strip and said scorelines being formed in the strip for exposure through the slot.

6. A method of making a split type of removable closure cap having a cover portion and an annular crimping skirt comprising the steps of: forming a circular disk with an elongated tab projecting radially therefrom; removing a diamond-shaped cutout at the juncture of the tab with the circular disk; scoring the circular disk to define a continuation of the tab across the disk; folding the tab over the scoring from the juncture thereof With the disk; and crimping an annular portion of the disk with the tab folded thereon to form the skirt and cover portion of the closure cap, said step of forming the disk comprising: cutting a circular portion from fiat stock material with a slot therein; securing an elongated strip of Weaker material to the circular portion covering the slot; said scorelines being formed on the strip for exposure through the slot and said cutout being disposed in the strip between the scorelines and the tab.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,444 1/1937 Breckenridge 2l546 2,697,532 12/1954 Hutafi 2l546 2,803,367 8/1957 Antal 2l546 2,844,267 7/ 1958 Petriccione 2l546 3,102,653 9/1963 Jacques 2l546 FOREIGN PATENTS 544,109 7/ 1957 Canada. 446,582 10/ 1912 France.

10,659 5/ 1909 Great Britain. 395,607 7/ 1933 Great Britain. 818,298 8/ 1959 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT,Examiner. 

3. IN A CLOSURE, A CAP ADAPTER TO BE MOUNTED OVER THE MOUTH OF A CONTAINER FOR SEALING THEREOF, COMPRISING A TOP AND A DEPENDING SKIRT FORMED INTEGRAL THEREWITH, SPLITTING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE CAP INCLUDING A FOLDED TAB HAVING A TRANSITION PORTION FOLDED AGAINST AND SKIRT AND A PULL PORTION INTEGRAL WITHIN EXTENDING ACROSS THE TOP EXPOSING A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE TOP, SPACED SCORELINES ON SAID TOP COMPLETLY CONCEALED BENEATH THE PULL PORTION OF THE TAB, SAID SCORELINES EXTENDING FROM A JUNCTURE BETWEEN THE CAP AND TH TRANSTION PORTION OF THE TAB, AND MEANS LOCATED AT SAID JUNCTURE FOR REDUCING DIS- 